Chinese Doctors Successfully Transplant Genetically Modified Pig Liver into Human Patient

Doctors in China have transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a 71-year-old man, who lived 171 days post-procedure, with 38 days supported by the pig organ—the first such case published in a peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Hepatology).

The patient suffered from hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and a large liver tumor, and no suitable human donor was available. Surgeons used a liver from an 11-month-old genetically edited pig, designed with 10 gene modifications to reduce the risk of rejection and infection. Immunosuppressive therapy was administered to prevent organ rejection.

Initially, the transplant was successful: the pig liver produced bile and supported liver function, with no acute signs of rejection for 10 days. By day 25, complications emerged, including xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, leading doctors to remove the pig liver on day 38. The patient’s remaining liver sustained him until his death from gastrointestinal bleeding on day 171.

Experts say the case demonstrates that pig livers can temporarily support human patients, potentially serving as a bridge to human liver transplants or allowing liver regeneration, addressing the critical shortage of donor organs worldwide.

Dr. Beicheng Sun, co-author of the study, highlighted the significance: “Liver is good if we can get enough human genes in the pig... this patient provides a special contribution to the field of this science.”